Insights

De-militarizing Amazon.com

May 5, 2014

In November, Domini wrote a letter to Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon.com, raising concerns about the company’s participation in the militarization of the civilian firearms market, after we discovered semi-automatic weapon accessories being sold on Amazon that could help gun owners increase the firepower of their weapons. We highlighted, for example, a trigger kit that allows the shooter to “shoot as quickly as desired” and devices designed to increase accuracy and reduce shooter fatigue. Our letter, which received coverage from Reuters, was signed by 33 institutional investors managing $490 billion, including New York State and the Church of Sweden.

In a recent conversation with Amazon executives we learned that our letter was taken quite seriously. Most of the products we identified have been removed from Amazon.com and added to the company’s list of prohibited items. The third-party sellers have been notified that they may no longer offer these items for sale on Amazon. We will continue to engage Amazon to ensure that they are doing everything they can to avoid becoming a marketplace for assault weapons.

The Domini Funds are not insured and are subject to market risks, such as sector concentration and style risk. Investing internationally involves special risks, such as currency fluctuations, social and economic instability, differing securities regulations and accounting standards, limited public information, possible changes in taxation, and periods of illiquidity. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You may lose money. This information is provided for educational purposes only, and should not be considered investment advice with respect to any of the holdings listed.

Check the background of DSIL Investment Services LLC and its investment professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck. Before investing, consider the Domini Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. View or order a prospectus. Read it carefully.

Check the background of DSIL Investment Services LLC and its investment professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck. Before investing, consider the Domini Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. View or order a prospectus. Read it carefully.